The Canada Working Holiday Visa is an entrepreneurial journey that changes your life, your way of thinking, and allows you to get to know yourself better. An unforgettable experience. Work in another country, gain international experience, and improve your English. All this in a multicultural country like Canada, which welcomes you from the very first moment.
For most travelers, it is certain that Working Holiday visa is usually the first step towards long-term immigration. In this new year 2026, Canada still maintain being one of the most attractive travel destination for young people who are seeking better life opportunity, stability and even adventure.
We have taken our time to write this complete guide to Canada Working Holiday visa 2026 and also explanation given on how it works, who can apply, how much it will cost, jobs, timelines and many other important points.
What is a Working Holiday Visa (WHV)?
The Working Holiday Visa (WHV) is a type of visa that allows you to work legally in Canada for 12 months. If you are Spanish, Chilean, Costa Rican etc. or if you belong to one of the Spanish-speaking countries that have an agreement with the Canadian government to apply for this visa, which is awarded randomly among all applicants.
Why Choose Canada for a Working Holiday Visa?
The reason for anyone to choose Canada for a working holiday visa is because Canada stands out among other top tier countries that offer similar visa and here are several reasons:
- Open work permit – You can work for almost any employer in Canada.
- Higher minimum wages – You get more than most countries that offer WHV.
- Strong worker protections – In most cases, there is assurance of security of your job in accordance to labor laws.
- Multicultural society – Nothing to be afraid of since Canada is a very welcoming country with high tolerance and inclusion from and by its people.
- Clear pathways to Permanent Residency (PR)
- English and French language immersion
- Safe cities and high quality of life
For most participants, over the years it has been established that Canada is not just a temporary experience but it became home to many who do not even wish to leave the country.
How the WHV works
To apply for this visa, which is part of the International Experience Class (IEC) programs, the first thing you need to do is create a profile to notify Canadian authorities that you are interested in applying for this visa. Once registered on the government website, you will be placed in a pool of candidates, which is selected randomly. This means there is no order of priority, and your English proficiency and academic qualifications are not evaluated.
From all applicants who have completed registration and meet the requirements, the government randomly selects candidates and sends out rounds of invitations each week until all available places are filled.
The number of available places varies for each country, although in the last year the good news is that the number of visas exceeded the quota initially agreed upon.
Working Holiday Requirements
To be eligible for the Working Holiday Canada visa, you must meet a series of requirements:
Nationality
To qualify for the Working Holiday Visa (WHV), you must be a citizen of one of the more than 30 countries that have a bilateral youth mobility agreement with Canada. Among Spanish-speaking countries, you can apply for this visa if you are Spanish, Chilean, or Costa Rican. Mexico is currently under review.
Passport
Another key requirement is having a passport valid for the entire duration of your stay in Canada. This is essential because the work permit granted will never last longer than the passport’s validity period. It is recommended that your passport be valid for at least two years from the date you submit your Working Holiday Visa application. This will help you avoid potential consular procedures later on, which can be quite cumbersome.
Age
Unlike other Working Holiday Visas such as those for Australia and New Zealand, the age range for Canada is wider, from 18 to 35 years old, inclusive. This means that when you apply for this visa, you can be up to 35 years and 364 days old.
Proof of funds
You need to provide proof of funds of at least CAD $2,500 to cover initial expenses upon arrival in Canada. This requirement, imposed by the Canadian government, helps prevent potential financial difficulties once you are living in Canada. To obtain this proof of funds, it is best to ask your bank for a statement showing transactions for the last three months, demonstrating that you have CAD $2,500 or the equivalent in your local currency.
Health insurance
It is mandatory to have health insurance that covers your entire stay. You don’t need to get this insurance until your visa status has been approved. Several companies offer online health insurance specifically for Working Holiday visas; these are highly recommended and affordable.
Fees
If you are selected, and to continue with the Working Holiday Visa (WHV) application process, you will need to pay the fees through the Government of Canada website and also pay the biometrics fee. The total cost of the fees is approximately 350 Canadian dollars, including the biometrics, which is now a mandatory requirement once you are eligible.
Criminal record
Finally, if you have lived in another country for more than six months, you will likely be asked to provide a criminal record check from the countries where you have lived. This isn’t a requirement when applying, but if you are selected, it’s very likely you will be asked for it. For example, those who held a Working Holiday Visa in Australia will need to request a police check from the country where they resided.
How to apply for a Working Holiday Visa
STEP 1. GET THE CODE
In this first step, you must go to the following link (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/come-canada tool.html) on the Government of Canada (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees citizenship/services/come-canada-tool.html) website and check your eligibility by filling out a series of fields. It is very important that you do not lose the code that appears once you have filled in all the fields. You will need it later when creating your profile.
STEP 2. CREATE YOUR PROFILE
In this second step, you will create your profile to apply for the Working Holiday Visa. It is important to save the information and password you enter on the form, as you will need them every time you complete an official procedure.
STEP 3. YOU’RE NOW REGISTERED. YOU’RE IN THE POOL…
Once you have completed your registration process, you are now in the pool of candidates. The government will send emails randomly to all registered applicants throughout the year. It is important to check the email address you used to register. If you are selected, you may receive an email at any time during the year.
You have 10 days to accept and then 20 days to submit all the documentation.
STEP 4. SUBMIT DOCUMENTS
If you receive the acceptance email, you will need to submit a series of documents for your status to be approved:
- Resume (Curriculum Vitae).
- Passport-size photograph.
- Valid passport with one year of validity remaining.
- Medical certificate (only if you have indicated that you will be working with children).
- Biometrics (you must go to the biometrics office (https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/where-to-give-biometrics.asp) in your country).
To enter Canada from Spain, Chile, or Costa Rica, you previously needed to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
What to do if I am already enjoying a Working Holiday visa
We found little information about what you can do once you arrive in the country to achieve your goals. From our experience, we recommend having a very clear plan of action, as a year goes by very quickly, and you may have to leave the country even if you want to stay longer. This is because, in a country like Canada, it’s not easy to obtain a work visa to extend your stay.
We distinguish four alternatives:
#1 – Young Professionals Visa
The first option is to take advantage of another work permit within the IEC Programs: the Young Professionals Visa. However, it’s not as simple as it seems, since to apply, you need a firm job offer from a Canadian company. In other words, the company you work for must be involved in the immigration process.
#2 – LMIA Work Permit
If you have found meaningful employment with a company during your time in Canada, you may be able to remain in the country with a work permit under a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). This means that a company must sponsor you, actively participating in the hiring process for a foreign worker who will positively impact the labor market. The best part of this option is that it can help you obtain Permanent Residency (PR).
#3 – Study and work in Canada
The study and work option is the easiest way to extend your stay in the country, but not the cheapest. By 2026, university master’s degrees are the best alternative and a stepping stone to becoming a permanent resident and eventually obtaining Canadian citizenship. They are not expensive, but this student visa has the significant advantage of up to three additional years of work authorization to support you in the country.
